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For those of you who haven’t stopped by before, I’m a romance author. I write everything from ‘compelling, sensual page-turners’ to ‘fast paced, nail biting…edge of your seat suspense’. If you like character driven stories with sexy, alpha heroes, who despite their toughness, are completely devoted to their heroine...stories with heroines who are resilient, who despite the odds, discover they’re stronger than they ever imagined—then pick up one of my books and let me take you to a place where dangerously sexy & happily-ever-after collide.

Coming Soon

She was the only woman ever to rock his world.But this time he'll have to prove he's offering more than just Midnight Heat.

DECEMBER 2014

Out Now

NOT WITHOUT RISK

2011 Readers Favorite Award WinnerRomantic Suspense

Best Book of 2010 Nominee, LASR

He has a killer to find and doesn't need a leggy brunette clouding his investigation. She wants to know who murdered her friend. As Paige and Justin try to stay one step ahead of a madman, love comes...Not Without Risk.

April 20, 2011

Today it's my pleasure to host fellow The Wild Rose Press Author, Gwyneth Greer. Gwyneth is in the middle of a blog tour promoting her new book, The Showboat Affair. Welcome, Gwyneth.

Guests, Gwyneth will be giving away a copy of The Showboat Affair in any format (including print) chosen by winner, pink laser flip-top mirror with engraved info about book, and a $10 gift certificate to Bath and Body Works to one randomly chosen commenter.

Recently, reading an interview, I was struck by the author’s thoughts on revising. In a nutshell, he feels that books it’s possible to do too much revising and end up making something right, wrong!

As someone who used to write strictly for my own entertainment, I’ve had to learn to look at my manuscripts with a critical eye. It’s no secret that the first draft always stinks! But does it simply emit a bad odor or does it smell to high heaven? Is it unpleasant or malodorous? Could it be described as a stench or worse?

A dog who’s tangled with a skunk gets a bath in tomato juice. What to do with a manuscript that has clearly tangled with the literary equivalent of Pepe LePhew?

Every author has her means and methods of dealing with the dreaded first draft. Letting it sit for a while is good advice—but if it stank when it was put away, it’s still going to stink when you get it out again. Maybe it’s just that the writer’s sense of smell has dulled—or maybe it’s sharpened with purpose.

I let my first drafts sit for an indeterminate period. If it’s something I’ve done for NaNoWriMo, I’m just too tired to deal with it anymore. Inevitably, it comes out again, and I wonder how I could’ve ever penned such drivel. It’s tempting to hit the ‘delete’ button straight away! But I don’t, and sooner or later, I get back to work.

The second time through, the process goes something like this:
(1) Fix inaccuracies in timeline.
(2) Do a complete turnaround for boring characters/get rid of same altogether.
(3) Change repetitive words.
(4) Tighten sentences.
(5) Throw out flowery description.
(6) ‘Listen’ to the dialogue with an ear for realism.
(7) Double-check facts worked into the fictional narrative.
(8) Get rid of scenes that don’t drive the plot.
(9) Put back scenes I think are too brilliant to be cut.
(10)Get rid of the scenes again and/or write new ones.

Then I do it again. And again. And again.

Finally, in fear and trembling, I write the dreaded synopsis and submit.

The interviewed author also commented that something “doesn’t have to be perfect to be good.” He’s right.

Writing a book is a lot like raising a child, I think. You (and your blessed editor) do the best you can and hope for the best. But somewhere along the way, when someone says, “Your son/daughter is SO nice,” you smile and know that making the decision not to shred the child/manuscript was the right one!

My latest effort with The Wild Rose Press is The Showboat Affair written as Gwyneth Greer. Visit my website (www.judynickles.com) to read the first chapter free!

Despite over thirty years in a faithless marriage to wealthy investment broker Rand Kingston, Jean is shocked when he asks for a divorce. Encouraged by her former housekeeper-turned-best-friend, she determines to rediscover herself as an independent woman and move on with her life. Nick Cameron, prominent attorney and long-time widower, would like to figure in her plans. The opposition of their adult children surprises them. Then, a series of chilling near misses makes them wonder who really is determined to keep them apart—and why.

EXCERPT:

The peal of the doorbell startled both of them. “This could look bad,” Nick said.

“Not if it’s Selina. Maybe it’s her. She went to look at some of those ice cream parlor tables I was telling you about last week.” Jean eyed him critically. “Button your shirt.”

“It’s pretty rumpled.”

“Button it anyway.” She brushed past him on her way to the door. “Maybe you should disappear.”

“Are you serious?”

Jean sighed. “No.” At the front door, she peered through the viewer and let out her breath in dismay. Juliana stood there, her jaw set, looking primed for battle. Jean unlocked the door and opened it. “What brings you here so early, Juliana?”

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comments:

Gwyn, I love stories that have older characters. Your blurb is excellent and I love the excerpt. I immediately felt I was there and privy to went what was going on. Love it. I need to check this book out. Showboat Affair is going into my book budget.

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